Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Dimitri Payet, Stefan de Vrij

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has held talks with West Ham United playmaker Dimitri Payet about a possible January move.

That’s according to Le 10 Sport (h/t Uche Amako of the Daily Express), which suggested Mourinho wants to add more attacking strength to his Red Devils squad and will turn to Payet as an alternative to Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, who won't be available midseason.

Neil Fissler of the the Sunday Express recently stated that French champions Paris Saint-Germain had opened talks with the Hammers in an attempt to bring the 29-year-old back to Ligue 1 in a £30 million transfer.

It’ll be fascinating to see what does happen with Payet in the January window. While he committed his future to West Ham in February in the form of a five-year deal, the Irons have endured a torrid start to the campaign and find themselves just one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone.

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While he’s had some standout moments—a stunning assist against Watford and a mesmeric goal against Middlesbrough in particular—Payet hasn't been able to have the same impact as he did in his debut term in the Premier League. Indeed, at times this season, he’s cut a disinterested figure on the left flank.

Despite his recent struggles, these numbers from Squawka Football sum up just how influential the Frenchman has been in 2016:

A move to United could bring the best out of the winger once again, and the ingenuity Payet possesses would give the Red Devils even more attacking potency. However, it’s difficult to see this one coming to fruition.

The Red Devils may well covet the player, but West Ham are under no pressure to sell after Payet agreed a new contract at the club. Additionally, with the team facing a possible relegation battle, parting with such a key man in January would do little to help the cause.

Stefan de Vrij Close to United Switch

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According to Il Messaggero (h/t Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness) Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij is ready to leave the club and link up with Mourinho at Manchester United.

In the report, it’s added that the Serie A side would not be too concerned about letting the Dutchman leave after bolstering their ranks in the summer, although they would demand a €35 million (£30 million) fee for the defender.

It’s also suggested that while the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and AC Milan want to sign the 24-year-old, he has his heart set on a move to United.

After a fine 2014 FIFA World Cup, De Vrij joined Lazio and cemented his status as one of the best defensive prospects around. Here is a look at what he can offer:

However, a serious knee injury disrupted his previous campaign, while a fractured foot has limited him to just eight starts in Serie A this term. Football writer David Amoyal recently noted just how important the defender is for Lazio:

United have looked brittle at the back at times this term, although summer acquisition Eric Bailly has been a big success. The challenge for Mourinho is finding an established partner for the Ivory Coast international, and based on performances so far this term, he’ll have to recruit one rather than mould a player from within his squad.

While he’s a fine reader of the game, forceful in the tackle and a capable distributor, De Vrij’s record with injuries would surely make United think twice before spending the kind of capital mentioned on his signature.